US welcomes proposed EU sanctions on Russia

The White House has offered its support to the European Union's plan to introduce further sanctions against Russia in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

"We welcome the European Council's consensus today to show strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to prepare further sanctions for consideration in coming days," White House National Security spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

She added that the US was working with the EU to prepare further sanctions.